But now he felt himself lifted in strong arms, and set on the rail of
the vessel, with his eyes just opposite those of the Skipper, so that he
could not look up without meeting them; and on so looking up, it became
evident immediately that this was the kindest man in the world, and that
he liked boys, and that, finally, there was nothing to be afraid of. On
which John heaved a mighty sigh of relief, and then smiled, and then
laughed.

"I like to know things!" he said, simply.

"Me, too," replied the Skipper. "I also like to know things. How else
shall we become wise, Juan Colorado? Now listen, and you shall hear.
This schooner is the 'Nautilus,' as I say, and she is a Spanish
schooner. Yes;" (in reply to the question in the boy's eyes,) "I am
partly a Spanish man, but not all. I have other mankind in me, young
gentleman. We come from the Bahamas. Do you know where are they, the
Bahamas?"

John nodded. He liked geography, and stood at the head of his class.
"Part of the West Indies," he said, rapidly. "Low, coral islands. One of
them, San Salvador, is said to be the first land discovered by Columbus
in 1492. Principal exports, sugar, coffee, cotton, tobacco, and tropical
fruits. Belong to Great Britain. That's all I know."

"Caramba!" said a handsome youth, who was lounging on the rail a few
feet off, gazing on with idle eyes, "you got the schoolmaster here,
Patron! I did not know all that, me, and I come, too, from Bahamas. Say,
you teach a school, M'sieur?"

"Franci!" said the Patron, gravely.